Electric switch.



Patented Feb. ls, |901.

un.r 668,389.

W. F. RICHARDS. l-:LEcTnlc swlTcH. Appunti ma Nov.' 2s, 1899.)

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ELECTRIC SWITCH. (Appximion md Nav. 2a, 1899.

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me oms rusas c UNITED STATES PATENT Ormea.

WILLARD F. RICHARDS, OF BUFFALO, NEVi7 YORK, ASSIGNOR 'lO CHARLES M.

GOULD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPEGFIGATON forming' part of Letters Patent No. 668,389, dated February 19, 1901.

Application filed November 23, 1899. Serial No. 738,021. (No model.)

falo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to a switch which is so constructed that the switch-lever is shifted from one set of contacts to the other and is brought into contact therewith by a rotary inovementin a plane parallel with the face ol the switch board or hase.

The principal object of this invention is to adapt the switch-lever to make contact with several sniierposed contacts which are arranged at different distances from the base. To that end the switch-lever is provided with two or more contact-blades, which are arranged at different distances from the base corresponding with the location of the different contacts.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure l is a face view of a switch embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a section at right angles to Fig. l in line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a sectional face View in line 3 3, Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a section at right angles to Figs. l and 3 in line 4 4C, Fig. 3. Fig. is a fragmentary side elevation of the handle of the switch-lever, showing the fixed adjusting-segment in section. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the handle ol' the switch-lever in line 6 (i, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-section of one of the contacts and the blade of the switchlever, showing the lever out of contact. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing my iinproved switch embodied in an electric-lighting apparatus.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several iigures.

A represents the switch board or base,which is preferably circular-in outline and constructed of any suitable insulating material, preferably slate. This base is provided centrally on its front side or face with a forwardly-projecting arbor or post B, which is secured to the base by screws b, passing through the base and the base-ilange ot' the post.

C represents an insulating supportingsleeve, of vulcanized ber or other-.suitable material, which surrounds the post and is provided with a base-liange c, which rests against the base-flange of the post.

D D' D2 represent the double-armed blades of the switch-lever, which are pivoted on the insulating sleeve C at different distances from the base. ln the switch 'shown in the drawings three of these switch-blades are employed. These blades are insulated from each other by insulating-washers CZ, of vulcanized fiber or other suitable material. The innermost or rearmost switch-blade bears against the base-[iange of the insulating-sleeve.

E represents the metallic handle of the switch-lever, which turns with its hub e on the outer end of the insulating-sleeve O and which foi-ins, together with the switcl1blades, the switch-lever. This handle is arranged at right angles to the switch-blades and is separated from the outermost switch-blade by an insulating-washer e'. The several switchblades and the handle are connected hy coupling-bolts F, so as to turn together, but are insulated from each other by insulating sleeves and washers ff. Each of the insulatingsleeves f passes through coinciding trans-- verse openings in the Washers de and switchblades and through a perforated earf2 on the hub of the handle and abuts with its inner end against the front side of the innermost switch-blade D, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

Each of the coupling-bolts F is arranged in one of the sleeves fand hears with its head against the rear side of the innermost switchblade. Each of the washers fis mounted on `the outer end of a coupling-bolt between the screw-nut of this bolt and an adjacent perforated ear f2, projecting from the hub of the handle. The switch-lever is confined on the central insulating-sleeve O by a screw-nut g, arranged on the outer threaded end of the post and bearing against an insulating-washer g', which in turn bears against the outer ends of the central sleeve O and the `hub of the handle. The handle overhangs a guido-segment H, which is supported at its ends by posts h on the base. The handle is prevented from being pressed inwardly or toward the base by the main or body portion of the handle engaging against the outer side of the segment, and the handle is prevented from IOO being pressed outwardly or away from the base by a lip it', arranged on the inner side of the handle and overhanging the inner side of the segment, as shown in Fig. 5.

The switch-lever is yieldingly held in its adjusted position by a bolt or catch t', which is arranged in a socket in the handle and pressed toward the segment by a spring i. The segment is provided in its outer edge with V-shaped notches i2, adapted to receive the double-beveled head of the bolt. The latter holds the level' yieldingly in position on the segment, but allows the lever to be shifted by the application ot` sutiicient force to release the spring-pressed bolt t'rom the notch. The segment is provided at its ends with stops i3, which limit the movement ot the lever.

Upon turning the switch-lever each of its blades may be engaged with either of the contacts which are arranged around the pivotpostof the switch-leveror concentric-ally and in the same plane at right angles to the pivotline of the switch-lever.

The switch represented in the drawings is more particularly designed t'or use in an electric-car-lighting apparatus, in which this switch is interposed between the `generatingcircuit and the battery and lighting circuits for the purpose ot' providing means whereby the attendant can connect the generating-circuit with one of the batteries and the other battery with the lighting-circuit and can alternate the battery connections or can cut out the generating-circuit and connect two batteries in multiple-with the lightingcircuit and will also cut the held-circuit in cutting out the generating-circuit. For that purpose the base of the switch is provided with two multiple sets of batteryalternating contacts, a multiple set of emergency-contacts, and also with field-contacts, which are arranged side by side with the battery-contacts. Each set of contacts consists ot' two groups arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the pivot-line of the switch-lever.

In thediagrammatic representation, Fig. 8, my improved switch is shown as applied to an electric-lighting system. R represents a dynamo; S, a resistance; T T, two storage batteries, and V a set of electric lamps or other electric translatingdevice. One group of each set of battery alternating contacts consists of three like contacts K K' K2, which are arranged side by side and at different distances from the switch-base. The inner and outer contacts K K2 of this group are connected with the like poles of two storage batteries 'l` T by wires t t'. The intermediate contact K is connected with the main line YV, connecting with the opposite poles of both storage batteries. The opposite or companion group of each set of battery-alternating contact-s consists of an inner and an outer like contact K3 K and two intermediate contacts K5 K5. The latter are arranged edge to edge in the same pla-ne circumferentially. The

inner and outer contacts K3 K1 arel con nectcd, respectively, with one side ot' the generatingcircuit by a wire fr and with the service-circuit 'tf by a wire 'n'. The intermediate contacts K5 K6 are connected, respectively, with the field-circuit by a wire X and the opposite side @2 oi the generating-circuit by a wire X. The

third set of contacts on the switch-base is de signed for the purpose of connecting both storage batteries in muitiple with the servicecircuit and for breaking the field-circuit and armature or generatingl circuit in case of an emergency when the generatorgets out ol'order. One group of emergency-contacts consists of an inner and an outer contact i l, which are connected with the like poles of the two storage batteries, respectively, by wires l" 5. The other group of emergency-contacts consists of an inner and an outer contact Z2 Z,

which are connected with each other and with the service-circuit by a wire Z".

Each of the several contacts above mentioned consists of a supporting-plate m and two inwardly-projecting spring-jaws m' m2, which are secured lo opposite sides ot" the plate by any suitable means-t'or instance, by solder and pins. 'lhe several contacts in each group of battery alternating contacts are separated from each other by insulatingwashersit. A metallic binding-plate n' is interposed between the innermost contact ol each of these groups and the hase. rlhe several contacts in each group of battery alternating contacts are connected with each other and with the base, but are insulated from one another by coupling-bolts o and insulating sleeves and washers o' o2. Each insulating-sleeve passes through openings in the base, binding-plate, contact-plates, and insulating-washers of the same group, and its head bears against the adjacent washer o2, which in turns bears against the supportingplate of the outermost contact.

The emergency-contacts ZZ' are separated by a wide insulatingwasher p. A metal binding-platep is interposed between the inner contact l and the base. These two contacts are connected with each other and with the base, but are insulated vfrom each other by coupling-bolts p2 and insulating sleeves and washers p3 p4. The emergency-contacts Z2 t3 are separated from each other by a metallic washer q, and a metallic binding-plate q is interposed between the inner contact Z2 and the base, whereby the emergency-contacts are both electrically connected with the binding-plate q@ Upon turning the switch-lever so that its blades stand in line with either set of battery alternating contacts the innermost blade D engages between the jaws of the contacts K K3, the outermost blade D2 engages between the jaws of the contacts K2 K4, and the intermediate blade D engages with one of its ends between the jaws of the contact K and with its opposite end between the jaws of both contacts K5 K6, as represented in Figs.

IOO

IIO

1 and 2. In this position of the switch-lever the current from the dynamo is conducted to one of the batteries, the current from the other battery is conducted to the service-circuit, and the armature and field circuits are closed. Upon turning the switch-lever so that its blades connect the other set of battery alternating contacts the battery connections between the charging-battery and service-circuits are reversed in such manner that the battery formerly connected with the generatingcircuit is now connected with the service-circuit, while the battery formerly connected with the latter4 is now connected with the generating-circuit, the generating and field circuits remaining closed, as before. Upon turning the switch-lever so that its blades stand in line with the emergency-contacts one end of the inner blade D engages between the jaws of the contact Zand its opposite end between the jaws of the contact Z2, and one end of the outer blade D2 engages between the jaws of the contact Z' and its opposite end between the jaws of contact Z2, while the intermediate switch-blade is not engaged with any contact and is idle, as represented in Figs. 3 and 4. In this position of the lever both batteries are placed in parallel with the service-circuit and the generating and field circuits of the dynamo are broken.

In order to insure a close contact of each blade between the two members of a contact, the blade is made slightly thicker than the space between the two members of the contact, and the edges of the contacts and the blades are beveled or rounded to facilitate the entrance of the blade between the members.

In the position of the switch-lever shown in Fig. S its blades connect one set of alternating contacts, whereby one of the batteries is connected with the charging-circuit, the other battery is connected with the servicecircuit, and the field-circuit of the generator is closed. When the switch is in this position and the dynamo-switch or contact-lever Y is in the position shown in Fig. 8, the current generated by the dynamo is distributed as follows: Gommencing at the brush Z on one side of the armature, the current passes successively through wire Z', contact Z2, switch-lever contact y, contact Z3, and wire Z4 to binding-post s on one side of the resistance S, where the current divides. One part of the divided current passes from the binding-post s through wire r, upper contact K3, switch-blade D, lower contact K, wire t', and enters battery T' from one side and charges the same. The current returns from the opposite side of battery T' through wire W, lower contact K', switch-blade D', upper contact K, wires X' U2, contact Z5, switch-lever contactgf, contact Z, and wire Z7 to brush Zson opposite side of armature, thus completing the charging-circuit. The other part of the current from the dynamo passes from the binding-post s through the resistanceS, binding-post 3', wire Q23, contact o4, switch-lever c5,

wire c, and enters the lamps from one side. The current returns from the opposite side of the lamps through wire W, lower contact K', switch-blade D', upper contact K6, wires X' 02, contact Z5, switch-lever contact y', contact Z6, and wire Z7 to brush Z8, thereby com-r pleting one part of the service-circuit. The resistance is so proportioned that the pressure of the current from the dynamo after passing the resistance is somewhat less than the pressure of the previouslycharged battery T, which causes this battery to discharge slightly, and the current so discharged passes from one side of the battery T through Wire t, lower contact K2, switch-blade D2, uppercontact K", and wire c' to binding-post s', Where it -joins the current from the dynamo on its way to the lamps, and returns by wire W to the opposite side of the battery T, thereby completing the other part of the service-circuit. The current for exciting the lield-coils passes from the brush Z through wire Z', contact Z2, switch-levercontacty, contact Z3, wire ac, eldcontact field switch-blade or, field-contact x3, wire X, including held-coils X2, upper contact K5, switch-blade D', upper contact K, wires X' c2, contact Z5, switch-lever contact fg', contact Z, wire Z7, and brush Z8, thereby complet-ing the field-circuit.

Upon turning the switch-blades D D' D2 so that they engage with the other set of altern ating contacts the current from the dynamo is distributed as follows: Oommencing at brush Z, the current passes successively through the wires Z', contacts Z2y Z2, and wire Z4 to binding-posts, where the current divides. One part of the current passes from bindingpost s through wire r, lower contact K3, switchblade D, upper contact K, wire t, and enters the battery T from one side and charges the same. The current returns fromthe opposite side of the battery T through wire W, upper contact K', switch-blade D', lower contact K6, wires X' o2, contacts Z5 y' ZG, wire Z7, and brush ZS, thereby completing the charging-circuit. The other part of the current passes from binding-post s through the resistance S, binding-post s', wire es, contact 04, switch-lever c5, wire c, and enters the lamps from one side thereof. The current returns from the opposite side of the lamps through wire W, upper contact K', switch-blade D', lower contact K6, wires X c2, contacts Z5 y' Z6, wires Z7, and brush Z8, thereby completing one part of the service-circuit. The current discharged from the battery T' passes through wire t', upper contact K2, switch-blade D2, lower contact K4, and wire v' to post s', where it joins the dynamo-current on its way to the lamps, and returns by wire W to opposite side of the battery T'. The current for .exciting the field-coils in this altered position of` the switch passes from the brush Z through wires Z', contacts Z2 y Z3, wire contacts 002 w3,

lOO

IZO

Upon turning the switch-lever into the position shown in Figs. 3 andE the connections between the dynamo and the batteries and the field-circuit are broken and the batteries are placed in parallel with the lamps. In this position of the switch-lever the current from one pole of battery T passes through wires t Z4, contact Z, switch-blade D, contact Z2, and wires ZG ln to one side of the lamps and re turns by wire W from the other side of the lamps to the opposite pole of the battery T. The current passes from one pole of battery T through wires Z Z5, contact Z', switch-blade D2, contactZS, and wiresZG/U to one side of lamps and returns by wire XV from opposite side of the lamps to the opposite pole of the bat` tery T'.

I do not wish to claim in this application any invention or improvement which is claimed in another application filed by me November 20, 1899, Serial No. 737,570.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination with the base provided with an insulating-pivot and with contacts arranged around the pivot, of a switchlever mountedthereon and composed of a handle, switch-blades arranged side byside, connecting-bolts, insulating-washers separating the handle and lthe several blades, and insulating-sleeves surrounding the connecting-bolts, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the base and a switch-lever mounted on the base and provided with insulated switch-blades which are arranged different distances from the base, of a group of contacts arranged side by side at different distances from the base and composed of contacts each having projecting jaws, insulating-washers interposed between the contacts, a connecting-bolt, and an insulating-sleeve surrounding the bolt, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with the base and the switch-lever rotatably mounted thereon and provided with a plurality of blades, of two sets of emergency-contacts, one set being coinposed of two contacts which are insulated from each other and the other set being composed ol two contacts which are electrically connected, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with the base and the switch-lever rotatably mounted thereon and provided with three blades which are insulated from one another, of groups of battery alternating contacts, each group being composed of three contacts which are insulated from each other and arranged in line with said switch-blades, and two groups of emergency-contacts, each composed of two contacts which are arranged in line with two of said switch-blades, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the base and the switch-lever rotatably mounted thereon and provided with a two-armed switch-blade, of a contact adapted to be engaged by one of said arms and two contacts arranged edge to edge in the same plane and adapted to be engaged by the other arm of the switch-blade, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the base and the switch-'lever rotatably mounted thereon and provided with three blades arranged side by side, of a set of contacts composed of two groups, one group consisting of three contacts arranged side by side in line with the three switch-blades and the other group consisting of four corresponding contacts, two of which are arranged edge to edge in the same plane with one of the contacts of the opposing group, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 13th day of November, 1899.

WILLARD F. RICHARDS. Vitnesses:

JNO. J. BoNNnR, CYEsTA B. HoRNBnoK. 

